After weeks of recess, Parliament will resume its sittings on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, with both the National Assembly and the Senate expected to dive into a demanding calendar that features scrutiny of key nominees, debate on economic treaties and consideration of far-reaching legislative changes.
In the National Assembly, the first task will be the vetting of nominees for appointment as High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Consuls-General.
MPs will also handle the approval of nominees for Registrar and Assistant Registrar of Political Parties, as well as the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Lawmakers will further turn their attention to international agreements, among them Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2025 on the planned privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates, and the treaty establishing the Shelter Afrique Development Bank. Another key item is the double taxation agreement between Kenya and Singapore aimed at preventing tax evasion and avoidance.
A major legislative highlight is the Virtual Asset Service Providers (Amendment) Bill (No. 15 of 2025) sponsored by Molo MP Kuria Kimani. The Bill seeks to introduce a licensing framework for players in the digital asset space under the Central Bank of Kenya, the Capital Markets Authority, or a proposed Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. Kimani said the Bill could boost Kenya’s growing digital economy.
“We have approximately 6.1 million virtual assets services users with the country having the potential to generate at least Sh130 billion in terms of foreign direct investment and the potential to create at least 25,000 jobs in Kenya in the next year if this Bill is passed,” he said. He noted that Kenya ranks third in Africa in transaction volumes, having traded about Sh258 billion in the past year through decentralised protocols and other digital platforms.
The House will also debate the Kenya Roads (Amendment) (Number 3) Bill (No. 34 of 2025) introduced by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma. The Bill proposes that roads be classified into national trunk roads and county roads, giving devolved governments authority over county roads.
“This classification is intended to provide clarity in the maintenance, rehabilitation and development of the road network across the country. Further, the Bill seeks to give effect to paragraph 5(a) of Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution,” Kaluma said. He explained that the amendments would also channel Road Maintenance Levy Fund proceeds directly to counties for repair and development of local roads.
Another critical item on the agenda is the Privatisation Bill (No. 36 of 2025) sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah. The Bill seeks to replace the existing framework and establish a Privatisation Authority with a clear mandate on coordination, oversight and management of privatisation.
“The Bill provides for the coordination and oversight of privatisation matters; provides for the establishment, functions and administration of the Privatisation Authority and the appointment and functions of the Managing Director, the Corporation Secretary and staff of the Authority,” Ichung’wah said.
Also lined up are the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to expand beneficiaries of the levy to include the Tourism Fund and the Kenya Meteorological Service, along with the County Governments (Amendment) Bill, Political Parties (Amendment) Bill and the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill. MPs will further examine financial reports, including that of the Water Sector Trust Fund to be tabled by Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed.
Senate
On the Senate side, the focus will shift to preparations for the Senate Mashinani sittings in Busia County starting October 6. Senators will also debate a Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill that proposes to strengthen the Senate’s lawmaking role and set up a County Assembly Fund to support the independence of county assemblies.
The amendment also seeks to balance powers between the two Houses by allowing both the Senate and the National Assembly equal space to initiate laws, whether through individual members or committees, while clearly outlining the mediation process and presidential assent. At present, the two Houses remain in mediation over 11 bills, including the Employment (Amendment) Bill, Food and Feed Safety Control Bill, Coffee Bill, National Disaster Risk Management Bill and the Startup Bill.
Other priority matters before the Senate include the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal (Amendment) Bill, tabled by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, which gives preference to citizen contractors.
“Any procurement of up to one billion shillings shall be awarded to a local firm; a foreign firm shall be eligible for procurement of contracts of more than one billion shillings where the firm has entered into a joint venture with a local firm for not less than thirty per cent of the value of the procurement,” Cheruiyot said.
Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi will also sponsor the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control (Amendment) Bill (No. 1 of 2024), which aims to exempt miraa from being listed as a psychotropic substance. Senators will additionally receive a progress report from the National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration Committee chaired by Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute on its inquiry into diversity and inclusivity in staffing across State agencies.
